What time and TV channel is ASM Clermont vs Leinster in the Champions Cup? Stream info, betting odds and more

Leinster haven't lost an opening Champions Cup game since 2015/16, the year Leo Cullen was first in the hot seat.

Indeed, they have lost a pool game on the pitch since 2018/19 which is quite a record.

Clermont away is however, on paper at least, as tough an opening day opposition as the Blues have encountered in quite a while .

Jacques Nienaber spoke in the week of how the Top 14 and Gallagher Prem clubs' players are better conditioned at the moment as their leagues started earlier and their top players have close to 400 minutes playing time under their belts.

Three games into their URC season, Leinster strategy has been to select an experienced side with 14 Ireland internationals being joined by Fintan Gunne who is standing in for the injured Jamison Gibson-Park.

The good news from the senior squad who mainly returned to playing last week was that Sam Prendergast has filled out over the summer and was in superb form while Hugo Keenan wasn't far off him for the Man of the Match award.

Ryan Baird's return from injury is a timely lineout and maul boost and he comes in at no6 allowing Jack Conan remain in situ at no8 as cover for Caelan Doris.

Who: ASM Clermont Auvergne vs Leinster

What: European Champions Cup 1st round

Where: Stade Marcel-Michelin

When: Saturday, October 17th

Leo Cullen, Leinster Coach: "Clermont place a huge emphasis on their line of defence because even when we played them the last time, we played them in the Aviva, and we only won like 50% of our lineouts, maybe even less.

“They cleaned us out that day, and it was a very tight game. If you remember, was it 15-7? Was it? So it was a tight bloody game, proper arm wrestle. If you get into those arm wrestle type games, they’re a tough bloody team to play against.

“They're always usually physical and proud when they play at home. So, what does that mean? It means they're very good in the contact area. They'll whack things, they'll carry hard so you need to be up for that challenge.

“Harry Plummer has been a hugely influential player for them since he's joined, what, just over a year ago, because he's able to do a little bit everything. He's able to carry into contact. He's a good defender. He's able to poach. He's able to kick. He's able to score tries. He's able to do it all. So he's become a very influential player for them very, very quickly. Jauneau at 9, their captain, and again very good in terms of his game management, his kicking game, and they've got proper ball carriers.

“There's a long list of players there that are that are strong and powerful. Obviously, AJ Lam would be one that's joined recently, Raka has been there for a long, long time, and some of the back rowers, depending on who is going to be playing this weekend. They're formidable. So very strong ball. I could hear them talking early season, or just before the season started, about trying to expand their game, but they lost at home on the weekend to Bordeaux, which was a very close game.

“Maxime Lucu was probably the main difference between the teams, that I could see. He scored a try under the posts and kicked his goals and got lots of big moments that he came up with. So what are we seeing from that weekend is they've obviously lost at home, which is a big thing for them.

“So, what do I expect? I would expect a strong response from them, and they go back to their core strengths, core identity, which tends to usually happen when a team loses, particularly if they lose at home.

“I know from watching them over a long number of years how much it means to them when they do play at home. Even some of the things that they would have done in pre-season that would have been plugged into training in the town and all different things that they did. So it'll be a proper challenge for us. We're under no illusions whatsoever.”

Betting: Clermont 7/2 Draw 22/1 Leinster 1/5

TV: beIN SPORTS / Premier Sports / France TV / SuperSport / FloRugby / epcrugby.tv

Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)

TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)

15. Justin Bouraux, 14. Bautista Delguy, 13. AJ Lam, 12. Léon Darricarrere, 11. Joris Jurand, 10. Harry Plummer (c), 9. Baptiste Jauneau, 1. Giorgi Akhaladze, 2. Barnabe Massa, 3. Nohem Ez Zahouany, 4. Thibaud Lanen, 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Killian Tixeront, 7. Anthime Hemery, 8. Kevin Noah

16. Peniami Narisia, 17. Sacha Lotrian, 18. Matheo Frisach, 19. Leo Michaux Vargas, 20. Antoine Chalus-Cercy, 21. Louis Vermeulen, 22. Baptiste Germain, 23. Mathys Belaubre

15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Tommy O'Brien, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Jimmy O'Brien, 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Fintan Gunne, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan (c), 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Ryan Baird, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan

16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Alex Usanov, 18. Tom Clarkson, 19. Conor O'Tighearnaigh, 20. Scott Penny, 21. Oliver Coffey, 22. Joey Carbery, 23. Jamie Osborne